By Wallace Chipeta
Lilongwe, April 21, Mana: Malawi’s 22nd Inspector General (IG) of Police, Merlyne Nachulu Yolamu, was on Sunday ordained a church elder for Police Headquarters’ Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) under Nkhoma Synod in Lilongwe.
She becomes the first Malawi IG to take up that high position in the church without abandoning her duty as head of national police.
“Most people think a law enforcer cannot serve as a church elder, but we are saying a good security officer is the one who knows the Word of God and is eager to serve Him,” said Yolamu as she addressed church ministers, elders and deacons after the ordination.
The IG said Malawi Police Service set aside Tuesday every week as a day when all the men in police uniform conduct prayers to strengthen their faith in God.
She urged men of God and fellow believers to pray for her and two others who also got ordained as elders - Deputy IG (Administration) Happy Mkandawire and Christopher Gavento - to ensure they draw a clear demarcation between their profession and Christian work.
“Pray for us as we assume these roles. If you pray for us, God will guide us and we will succeed,” said the IG.
Police headquarters church minister, Reverend Julius Siwinda, hailed Yolamu for setting a good example to the law enforcers by putting God first in her work.
“We hear some Christians saying ‘I am too busy to work as a church elder’, but God calls those who are busy to serve Him,” said Rev. Siwinda.
Leading the service of worship during the function, Rev. Easten Chisale of Kapita CCAP emphasized the need for people to repent and eat their own sweat rather than amassing wealth through corrupt practices.
Quoting Micah 6 verse 8, Rev. Chisale said the Lord requires man to do just and walk humbly in Him.
Among other CCAP high profile people in attendance were Secretary General for CCAP General Synod Rev. Dr. Mwai Chilongozi and Rev. Martin Mthiko of Kawira CCAP.
The theme for the event was: “Gifted to Serve One Another” with the church slogan: “Touching Hearts and Changing Lives in Jesus Name” which was inspired from the Bible’s Book of 1 Peter 4:10.
